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Hourly Update

New course for English learners off to good start

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.29.2008
PHOENIX — The first three school districts to adopt the immersion program more than doubled the percentage of language learners who tested proficient in English in 2007-08 over the previous year, according to the state Department of Education.
However, officials say the numbers represent fewer than 10,000 of Arizona's 138,000 language learners.
Several years of data are needed to determine how well the new $40 million program helps all English-language learners succeed in general classes.
The new model was introduced in some schools last year and is mandatory this year. It groups language learners by their level of proficiency and age for four hours a day.
During that time, the program requires students to learn English phonics, grammar, reading and writing. Previously, Arizona schools had little guidance.
The state hopes the immersion program will improve the academic success of language learners and satisfy a federal court order to put more money into the effort.
Glendale Elementary was eager to improve its record with English learners and adopted the model last school year. The result was 960 language learners, or 21 percent, reached proficiency, up from 376 students, or 9 percent, the previous year, Superintendent Sandra Johnson said.
The other two districts to first adopt the immersion program were Humboldt Unified and Florence Unified.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said he was happy to hear Glendale Elementary also taught specific subjects while teaching English, an approach he added to the new model.
Horne said the objective is to teach academic English, not just conversational English. He called the program one of the most important things that has happened in Arizona education in a long time.
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